Defense showcased in 2-1 soccer win

by Brian O'Connell staff writer

In what was the final home regular season contest for seniors Paul Donaghy, Don Eadie, Michael Robinson, Matt Kaiser and Wayne Brown, the men's soccer team recorded a 2-1 double overtime victory over Scranton.

The stage was set with a nice day cand a large crowd on Oct. 31 at Cabrini's Dixon Field.

Ttie Cavs opened the game playing strong defense and countering the Scranton attack.

However, Cabrini was unable to score on some opportunities to open the game.

"We played well as a team and were able to make some big defensive stops," said senior Mike Robinson. "I felt we dominated for most of the game but came across some unlucky finishes."

"It was a tough game, but we knew as a team that we were not going to lose," said first-year student Andy Zayas.

Scranton wasted little time to open up the scoring.

It was 1-0 at the 42-minute mark of the first half.

Cabrini did not give up after the goal. The Cavs played better defense, despite not being able to score.

The score remained 1-0 going into halftime.

Cabrini led the way with a 5-3 shots on goal advantage.

The second half featured a betterfocused Cabrini team that finally got on the scoreboard.

Mike Braun scored at the 16minute mark to the tie the game at 11.

The score would remain 1-1 going into the first 15 minute overtime. Several penalties were called in the first overtime, but neither team was able to capitalize on the calls.

The second overtime started and some easy opportunities for the Cavs were there, but again they were unable to take advantage.

At the 6:33 mark of the second overtime, the finishing touches were put on as first-year student Mike Strimmel deposited the winning goal to give Cabrini the 2-1 victory and a lot of confidence going into the playoffs.

"This was the best I have seen us play all season," said Coach Duncan

Hubley. "We knew the game ends in the second overtime, and we wanted to be sure we came out of here with a win."

The Cavs now have the playoffs fast approaching.

The team has one mission: to win the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference championship.

"We as a team will accept nothing less than winning the PAC," said Robinson. "We will be convinced we had a successful season once we bring the championship home."

"We have to take the playoffs one game at a time," said Hubley. "We play Misericordia this Wednesday and we have yet to beat them in the playoffs."

Now that the Cabrini men's soccer team has completed another spectacular, hard-fought season, it is now time to focus on soccer madness-the playoffs.

Cabrini enters the playoffs at 18-1 overall and 8-0 in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference.

They _will face Misericordia in the first round of the playoffs this Wednesday, Nov. 4 in a semifinal matchup at Dixon Field.